By Diane Maier
I know—you love your house and you’re never going to move, but just in case you change your mind, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your largest asset and add appeal for future owners.

When budgeting for upgrades to your home, keep in mind that some things add value to the sales price of your home and other things will cost you when you sell. Take note of the following suggestions:

Curb appeal Keeping your exterior paint in good condition protects your investment and is something that potential buyers can check off their list of things to do. In addition, landscaping gives you a dollar-for-dollar return on your investment. After all, who doesn’t want to walk up to the front door of a well-kept yard?

Energy-efficient appliances Appliances don’t have to be top of the line or state of the art, but you can only save yourself and your future buyer money by purchasing the most energy-efficient models.

Crown molding and decorative trim Crown molding makes a statement and puts the emphasis on detail. It doesn’t have to be grand, but it does need to be well done. The beauty is in the craftsmanship and the invisibility of gaps, joints, and nails.

Window treatments Window treatments usually stay with the house when it sells, so let your buyer pay for your custom window treatments and include them in your asking price. In addition to privacy, add style coupled with energy efficiency and make it a wise investment.

Interior paint Appealing wall color in your home makes the space more livable. White walls show dirt and fingerprints, especially around light switches. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, paint gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Cabinets and built-ins Sufficient, usable storage is essential to any home. When done well, it makes it easier to access things that you use on a daily basis, as well as items that you use once or twice a year. Anything can be customized nowadays, but don’t make it so custom that it only works for you. Case in point: Just because you need to store a foldaway crib for the two times a year your grandchildren visit doesn’t mean that you really need a cabinet 60 inches wide, 48 inches high, and 18 inches deep that is designed especially to store that crib.

Television/media You want the buyer of your home to want to purchase your electronic audio and video equipment. You don’t want to pack it and move it, especially when you can get the latest and greatest for your new place.

Making smart decisions when personalizing your home can add value to your most valuable asset. Working with a design professional in each of these areas can save you time and money, and it keeps you from making costly mistakes. Professionals can show you where to focus attention and how to look at the bigger picture in terms of spending your dollars wisely. After all, it’s not just a house—it’s a home.

By Diane Maier

You can attract positive energy to every part of your home by incorporating feng shui design principles into your décor.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese method of object placement that encourages the flow of energy, or chi, throughout a space. Chi influences everything from health and happiness to fame and fortune. You can use color, material, furniture arrangement, lighting, and number to influence the flow of energy in your home and to create an environment that is conducive to prosperity, love, and career success.

In the last issue of NVM, I explained how to clear the clutter from your home to make way for fresh new energy (“Eco-Friendly Design: What It Means to Be Green”). The next step is to identify and address the areas in your home that are related to the three baguas that people tend to focus on most often: prosperity, relationships, and career. A bagua is like a map of the energetic qualities of your home and the spaces within in. In feng shui, any space can be divided into nine areas, or baguas, each of which corresponds to a different aspect of your life.

The level and quality of the energy in a bagua influence the relevant area of your life. If the energy in your prosperity bagua is positive, wealth will come your way. Positive energy in your relationship bagua will reflect well on your love life. Similarly, a space that is filled with blocked or negative energy will have a negative impact on the corresponding area of your life. Are you having trouble at work? Your career bagua may need to be cleared and replenished with positive energy.

Invite prosperity into your home by incorporating rich colors such as purple, green, gold, and red into this essential bagua. Shine a light on your financial situation with a dramatic accent light and add green plants to emphasize monetary gain and growth. Water is a powerful symbol of wealth. A water feature or artwork that fits this theme can enhance your earning power.

Encouraging lasting love in marriage or dating comes from emphasizing the duality of relationships. Decorate this bagua with pairs of lamps, nightstands, chairs, and other items. Round mirrors, candles, and fresh flowers add life and reflect love. Red, white, pink, or rose and all earth shades are especially good for creating positive, magnetic energy in the relationship bagua.

When the career bagua in your home is balanced and in harmony, you will achieve your goals for success at work. This is especially important if you are looking for work or feel blocked in your current position. The career bagua also affects the path of your life in general, and energy must flow freely here. Moving water, or an object representing it, is essential here. Dark tones, including black, blue, and gray, will also be effective.

In decorating and in life, it really is all about you and the energy that you create. Live your best life by letting positive energy flow throughout your home.

By Diane Maier

Ecofriendly interior design is not only good for the environment, but is also good for you and your family. It’s all about designing, lighting, and decorating your home in ways that are friendly to the environment and nontoxic to people. Air quality is very important to green design. If someone in your family suffers from allergies or headaches, your home may not be as healthy as you think. You can reduce your potential exposure to gases, dust, and other pollutants by emphasizing a green interior design approach.

So, what does it really mean to be “green”? Using low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products is an important first step. VOCs are gaseous chemicals from paint, carpeting, and furniture. These chemicals play a big part in indoor air pollution. Most traditional paints are heavy in VOCs. Look for nontoxic, natural paints or paints with a low VOC classification.

Fabrics made of natural fibers that are renewable and biodegradable are greener alternatives to synthetic materials when it comes to custom bedding, decorative pillows, upholstery, and draperies. Good choices include silk, wool, linen, and cotton without synthetic dyes.

Furnishings made from reclaimed materials add interest and preserve resources. Reclaimed wood from historic buildings and bridges is being used by furniture manufacturers to create new treasures for your home.

Your choice of flooring will also have a big impact on the healthiness of your home. Wall-to-wall carpeting traps dust and allergens and can be high in VOC emissions. Wood floors in ecofriendly materials such as bamboo, which is actually a grass but is installed by wood flooring contractors, are beautiful and easy to care for. Reclaimed wood and cork are also good options. Use all-natural area rugs made from wool, hemp, or organic cotton to add color, softness, and warmth. Area rugs are also easier to clean than wall-to-wall carpeting.

Consider concrete flooring. Concrete is an easy-to-maintain sustainable material that supports a healthy interior environment. Concrete floors can be finished in a variety of decorative treatments that add character and depth to a space. They can also be stained and finished to look like wood planks.

Decorating with plants livens up your interior space and keeps indoor air clean at the same time. Incorporating natural elements into your home décor is key to creating a beautiful, healthy space. Add natural touches to your décor with interesting rocks or stones and fresh flowers. You can also find a number of ecofriendly decorative objects. Candles are a good example: Soy candles with cotton wicks are made with all-natural materials and burn cleaner than their metal-wicked antecedents. The clean-burning Low Country Luxe line of 100 percent soy botanical candles is an Oprah.com favorite. The manufacturer donates a percentage of its sales to benefit charities and environmental causes.

Interior design is intuitive in many ways. Follow your instincts. Choose what looks good and makes you feel good. And remember, you can have rich, abundant style and still be ecofriendly. Green does not have to be lean!

By Diane Maier

It’s time to banish tired, old energy from your home and clear the way for a positive and productive year. Feng shui is the art of balancing and harmonizing the flow of natural energies through a space in order to maximize positive energy and create an environment that promotes health, happiness, and success. Creating a harmonious environment is an essential part of living your best life, ever.

Clutter is an obstacle to the smooth flow of energy in your home. Typical clutter includes items that are no longer wanted or loved and are not ongoing sources of joy, inspiration, or practical benefit. Clutter drains your energy and creates a sense of stagnation in your home, where energy should always flow freely.

You must clear the clutter before you can put feng shui principles to work in your home. This is not an article about organizing your closets and drawers. Organizing should only be concerned with the items you decide to keep after the clutter has been cleared from your home.

Bedrooms, bookcases, and storage areas are likely to require the most attention. Stuffed bedroom closets and bulging bookshelves are obvious problem areas, but what about the space under your bed? Keep your under-bed areas clear and clutter-free to enjoy peaceful, undisrupted sleep at night.

Closets are notorious for harboring old, dead energy. Get rid of clothing that doesn’t fit or is out of style. Get rid of all but your best-loved books to make way for new reading adventures in the future.

In Arizona especially, we often see garages that are packed to the rafters with boxes. Your garage was designed for vehicles, not storage. Discard or donate the contents of any boxes that you have not opened in more than twelve months unless, of course, they contain heirlooms or other keepsakes. Why are you saving (and living around) unused items? It’s also time to get rid of any keepsakes you may have from an old relationship. These elements drain your energy and emotions every time you see them. You’ve moved on, and it’s time for the items to follow suit.

The start of a new year is also a good time to update your address book. If you can’t put a face with a name or remember the last time that you spoke with that contact, let him or her go. This clears the way for all of the fabulous new friends that you are going to meet in the months ahead!

Energy flows where your attention goes. Place plants, artwork, and small pieces of furniture in corners to keep energy flowing throughout the room. Add seasonal elements throughout your home to bring in fresh new energy on a regular basis. There are unseen causes of clutter that you should also address, such as rooms that have been the site of fights or other unhappiness. Add items to these spaces that create flowing energy, such as chimes or living plants. Both attract positive energy to an area.

By Diane Maier

Set the mood in your home this holiday season with a decorating plan that celebrates the real you.

Embrace your year-round personal decorating style. Keep in mind that you are dressing your home for the holidays and not redecorating it. Integrating a theme can create interior harmony that flows from room to room. Your choice may feature a personal collection that is packed away during other seasons or a holiday tree with a special theme. Place smaller themed trees in bedrooms, the guest room, and even the kitchen to add a holiday spark to every area of your home.

Your fireplace should be a focus of your holiday decorating style, second only to your tree. Hang a large wreath on or over the fireplace, position candleholders of different heights on the mantle, and add containers of foliage to the mix. Add personal items such as a cherished vase, a child’s sled, or some other unique accessory. Branches and garland tie the theme together nicely.

Not sure what colors to use? Take your inspiration from your dining room chairs for ribbons, garland, flowers, candles, and place settings. Choose complementary colors that create a seasonal feeling. Perhaps you’ve seen a piece of fabric that would make an elegant runner or spied a festive ribbon with a charming color scheme. Color is a very personal decision and a true reflection of you. Select hues that complement your existing choices. Match warm with warm and icy cools with whites and silvers. Jewel tones lend themselves to fancy beaded fruits, rich fabrics, and embellished candles. Earth tones and deep reds bring out the rustic feel of a truly Tuscan holiday. For the greatest impact, use only one color of candle—and then use them everywhere!

Placing greenery or a garland adorned with ribbons and ornaments on your chandeliers adds character, impact, and charm. Staircases can also be very dramatic when decorated for the holidays. Use this architectural detail of your home to tie your plan together.

Holiday wreaths also create unity of design wherever they appear. A wreath on the powder room mirror is a festive, unexpected touch. Even the wreath on the inside of your front door can become extraordinary by attaching two long lengths of ribbon to its bottom. As your holiday cards arrive, use straight pins to affix the back of the card to the ribbon. Be careful not to pin the cards closed so that friends and family can enjoy the good tidings and the photos inside.

Add store-bought or homemade gingerbread figures to wreaths and garlands, and hang them from lengths of ribbon in the windows of your kitchen for a truly “hearth-warming” touch. Display others among plates in your china cabinet or plate rack.

Candy canes added to simple arrangements of red roses create a simple and incredibly elegant holiday bouquet. Small wrapped gifts piled in an urn or basket by the front door make it easy to say “Thank You!” when neighbors and friends drop by with an unexpected treat for you.

Your best holiday ever begins with a decorating plan that reflects the real you!

By Diane Maier

Living your best life begins by designing an environment in your home that is conducive to creating happiness, success, and joy. Harmony, energy, and intention each play a role in creating a home that is a true reflection of the life that you want to create. When you “live by design,” you set the stage to bring abundance into every part of your life. Living your best life always begins at home.

The space you surround yourself with has a huge impact on your life. If you are feeling unmotivated or restless, it could be from negative energy that is lingering in your home. You may be holding onto items that you simply don’t care about any longer. Your surroundings should nurture and feed your senses, always.

Clearing the clutter will help you create harmonious spaces that work for the way that you and your family want to live. Start by carving out a space that will be uniquely your own—a place to retreat to when you are feeling stressed or tired. Your retreat could be a luxurious tub dressed with candles and thirsty towels. It could be a cushioned seat by the fireplace on a chilly day or a poolside table to enjoy your coffee while listening to morning bird songs. When you design a space that reflects your needs and intentions, you create an environment that will nurture your creativity and energy. All things become possible.

Here are five ways to design your life, one room at a time:

- Visualize a setting that you enjoy visiting, one that has a special ambience and is a place in which you feel completely comfortable and at home. Is it a lake house? A festive holiday setting? A room in a friend’s home where everyone loves to linger? The elements that are clearest in your mind will help you create your own design.

- Too often, we wait for company to visit to make the spaces in our home special. Don’t wait for visitors to put the good towels out in the guest bath or the flowers in the spare room. It’s your home. Enjoy it every day.

- Tackle your home one room at a time. Your master bath should be a sanctuary, the guest room a retreat, and the spare bathroom always ready for company. It’s your life. Take time to develop it.

- Pay special attention to your bedroom. The view from the bed is much more important than the view from the doorway. Does the sun come in and wake you each morning? Does your mattress need to be upgraded? Your bedroom should be comfortable and conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. It is where each day begins.

- Everyone who lives in your home should have a space in which he or she feels comfortable. A tall man and a short woman are not going to be comfortable on the same piece of furniture. Look at your life and what it needs, rather than decorating to mimic what others are doing.

Good design doesn’t just happen by accident. Your home should be a reflection of who you are and the way that you want to live. Make yourself the center of your universe, and your house will feel like a home.

By Ma Picard

Water fountains in private homes have become increasingly popular in recent years. Modern technology has introduced fountains in every price range, making them affordable for any interested homeowner.

With an endless array of styles of indoor and outdoor decorative water fountains, there is a style to match every home décor. Both indoor and outdoor fountains are produced as stand-alones, tabletop models, or wall-mounted decorations. Compact fountains provide beautiful accents without taking up much space. Conversely, larger, more elaborate fountains may incorporate statues, decorative rocks, or plant life into the design and serve more as a focal point rather than an integrated decoration.

Fountains are made from many different materials. Homeowners can choose from metal, wood, stone, glass, and acrylic, or any combination of these materials. Caution should be taken when deciding on the size, style, and material composition of a fountain. Fountains should enhance a home, not overwhelm it. Designs are extremely varied: extravagant stone fountains and wall-length waterfalls complement a large home, while they would look foolish in a humble neighborhood yard or a modestly decorated living room. A fountain of pottery pieces may be at home in or near a stucco house, and a typical frame dwelling could be enhanced by the addition of a modest fountain incorporating plants and flowers.

Indoor fountains are intended to blend with the room, not overwhelm its inhabitants. A large indoor conservatory would be enhanced by a multitiered stand-alone fountain, whereas a small study would best be served by a compact tabletop fountain.

There are many aesthetic benefits to installing a water fountain at your house. Outdoor water fountains enhance a home by projecting an image of extravagance or creating a themed atmosphere. These may be designed, for example, to imitate a tropical facade or to replicate a favorite vacation location. And for the environmentally conscious, some outdoor fountains are solar-powered. Studies have shown that indoor fountains cleanse the air naturally, providing a healthier living environment. For the waste-conscious—and that should be all of us—most fountains have pumps that continuously circulate the water. In our dry climate, the supply may need to be replenished every so often.

While some homeowners choose to install water fountains as status symbols, most choose fountains for the relaxing atmosphere they provide—many find the sound of flowing water soothing and moving water gently hypnotic. Living rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms are the most common settings for fountains, as these are the rooms that are used the most and therefore provide optimal opportunity for enjoying the fountain. Placing a fountain in the bedroom may calm and relax a person so that he or she can drift peacefully off to sleep. Fountains also produce “white noise,” which helps to mask distracting sounds and encourage a sounder rest.

The fountain you decide on depends on the size and style of your home, as well as the size of your bank account. Small, simple tabletop fountains can be found for as little as $19.99, while extravagant outdoor fountains incorporating granite sculptures might set back a homeowner more than $5,000.
Installing a water fountain is a great way to enhance a home. With numerous sizes, styles, and materials to choose from, the perfect fountain can be found for any location, regardless of budget.

New Flooring Is the Bottom Line for Home Value

By Tara Knudson

Few things affect the aesthetics and market value of your home like the quality and choice of flooring. Making smart choices is so important, whether you have kids, pets, or neither; whether you plan to live in your home or flip it; or whether you’ve got a little condo or a sprawling rancher.

Stone, tile, and hardwood are three popular choices for savvy homeowners, and for good reason. If you’re picking flooring for a new building, you want durability and lasting value, and you want a beautiful backdrop for your furnishings and your life. Stone and tile are excellent choices for areas that get dirty feet traipsing over them all the time, or that may be subject to spills and leaks—bathrooms, entryways, basements, and kitchens. Wood is a great choice for almost any room in the house, and especially adds richness to living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

All three are beneficially hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and available in a broad range of stylish options. They’re also durable, sometimes lasting four or five times as long as their counterparts in carpet, vinyl, and laminate. In addition to being healthy, beautiful, and long-lasting, natural stone, wood, or tile floors come in numerous planet-friendly offerings. You can choose sustainable-harvested hardwood and stone, handmade natural tiles, and tiles made from 100 percent recycled materials. You might pay a little more up front for the quality, but the pleasure of living on such stylish, valuable surfaces and the higher price your house will most likely get at resale time will numb your checkbook pain.

If you already have hardwood, stone, or tile floors but they’ve become cracked, broken, and worn, replacing them is strongly advised. Loose, broken tiles can cause trips and falls, and only tile and stone in good condition can keep moisture from getting at the subfloor. Moisture can potentially cause rotting, molding, and structural damage (and bigger repair bills down the road). If hardwood hasn’t been well cared for and must be replaced, you’ll have an opportunity to find extremely durable and planet-friendly planks to install. Replacing old floors also gives you the chance to add underfloor heating, another big selling plus and a pure delight underfoot. If you decide to put your home on the market, you’ll have difficulty getting your home’s worth if potential buyers realize they must spend thousands of dollars to update or redo the floors. As a seller, you would be more justified in asking for a higher price than you would have been if you hadn’t upgraded the flooring, and many real estate agents would agree that you could possibly get upwards of twice the cost of the flooring in your return.

If your flooring is in good condition but shows some wear or minor damage, you might be able to refinish the surface or repair just a small section, and thus gain all the benefits of a new look. Hardwood can be sanded, stained, and finished as long as it isn’t deeply decayed. Tile may be repaired if you can find appropriately matching replacement tiles, and removing and replacing the grout can make tile-work look completely fresh. Stone is very durable, and rarely needs to be repaired, but if necessary, even a small section of stone can be replaced by a skilled craftsperson.

Whether you’re building a new home, or repairing or replacing flooring you already own, tile, hardwood, or stone finishes will elevate the beauty, livability, and market value of your home and will always be safe, smart choices.

By Jodi Leedy

Are you planning to purchase new kitchen cabinets? Whether for a newly constructed home or for a remodeling project, consider one important factor: your kitchen is the heart of your home! It is not just a place to dine; it is also the main gathering place for family and friends and a place for entertaining. This is particularly true with today’s popular open floor plans and “great room” designs. Because your kitchen plays such an important role in your home, there are a few things to consider in your planning process.

Keep Future Buyers in Mind

Even if you are currently building your dream home, it is possible that someday you will have a need to sell your home. A practical kitchen layout is typically everyone’s goal, but cabinet styles and finishes are more of a personal choice. Are you attracted to traditional or modern styles? Do you like kitchen cabinets with distinct wood grain or nearly no grain? Regardless of which you prefer, always keep future buyers in mind, as they can play an important part in your bottom line.

The Work Triangle

All homeowners seek a functional workspace in the kitchen. When planning your kitchen layout, it is important to consider the distances between your sink, stove, and refrigerator in relationship to one another. Connecting these three workstations from their center points should create an invisible “work triangle.”

Kitchen Cabinet Storage is Key

When designing your dream kitchen, it is important to consider your storage space, along with ample countertop space. Kitchen cabinet layout services are available to help you maximize your space and create the best flow of cabinetry. The first place to look for extra storage space is in your corners. In small, tight kitchens, a blind corner cabinet can make the most use out of the corner. Try adding rollout trays in your base kitchen cabinets to help access your pots and pans, or in your pantries in order to reach cans and dry goods more easily.

Bells and Whistles

Just like purchasing a new vehicle, there are upgrade options to consider when ordering your new kitchen cabinets. Consider glass door cabinets for displaying your keepsakes or china dinnerware, an appliance hutch for hiding small appliances on your countertop, rollout trays for base cabinets, integrated wastebaskets, corner shelves, and wine racks. When selecting your bells and whistles, keep in mind your budget and overall functionality and flow of your kitchen for optimal results.

Remember, your kitchen is the heart of your home! Success in constructing a timeless, comfortable space is a result of creating a balance between an efficient layout and a design with your personal tastes, and keeping with the end goal of adding value to your home.

By Nicole Powell

Designing and decorating your home is like building the perfect nest. Choosing colors, fabrics, and decor is only the beginning. Your home is a reflection of who you are, and is also a combination of life experiences, travels, and personality. Whether you are building your first dwelling, revamping your current home, or looking to expand, let these few “nesting” tips inspire you to gear up for spring!

Where do I begin? I always try to tell clients to consider the things they love in their daily lives and to go from there. Think about where you or your family spends the most time, be it the kitchen, family room, or outdoors. Focus on this area first. It’s important to build your nest starting with the things you love—I guarantee these will find their way into your decor.

No two nests are alike. I say this in every issue of North Valley Magazine, but color is the easiest and most cost-effective way to update your space in a matter of hours. My personal favorite: blue. Any shade of blue can work in any decor scheme, from Tuscan to transitional. It is the perfect backdrop for practically any color scheme, and can also be used as an accent color in any space.

Living large in a small space. The trick to any small space is to use that space wisely. Using a few large pieces instead of several smaller pieces will give the illusion of a bigger space! Good news: It doesn’t cost money to resolve scale issues. Work with items you already have and move them around. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how, in a few short hours, you can have a fresh new look!

Clearing the nest: less is more. I try to stick to this rule: If I haven’t used it, worn it, or seen it in a year, I give it away. By doing this, I create a place to make and display new memories. For quite some time, I have been rotating my son’s artworks in and out of 11 x 14 frames in our hallway. It allows the whole family and our visitors to share in his masterpieces and prevents them from piling up in the drawer, never to be seen and appreciated. Every item should have a place. If it doesn’t, it’s sure to get lost or become unnecessary clutter.